Remembering a divine grace experience

Retired pastor Gordon Schleicher remembers a profound experience of God’s grace featuring a monarch butterfly and his trusty 35mm camera.

J. GORDON SCHLEICHER
Retired Pastor, Michigan Conference

It was August of 1985, and my wife and I were volunteering as the deans for a week at Camp Kinawind near Vanderbilt. Camp Kinawind was a United Methodist camp with rustic accommodations. When it turned out one male counselor could not serve that week, I became the counselor for a cabin of grade school boys.

The activity for the morning of the first full day was called Rebirth. Rebirth is a cabin group activity using an automobile tire hung four feet off the ground. The six boys lined up on one side and were expected to climb through the tire, one at a time. The first was to go through the tire by himself, and after that, there would be help on the other side to guide the others. Scott was first. My job was to supervise. Well, I failed to do that properly, and Scott tumbled out the other side of the tire and fell on his right arm.

The camp co-manager took him to the hospital, and Scott’s arm turned out to be broken. Scott returned to camp with a cast on his arm. He wanted to stay the week, and his parents allowed it. Of course, I felt glad he would stay but also bad for not keeping him safe.

The following day began with devotions. As a cabin group, we sat in a circle on the ground. Midway through devotions, a monarch butterfly landed in the center of our circle. I just happened to have my Canon AE-1 camera with 36 film exposures around my neck and began taking pictures with my right hand. With my left, I reached down and extended my index finger. The butterfly climbed aboard, and I placed my finger on the forehead of the boy across from me. The monarch stayed on the boy’s forehead and opened and closed its wings to the delight of us all. I must have taken a dozen pictures over the next few minutes. Then, we agreed to let the butterfly fly away and get back to our devotions.

As we were cleaning up our utensils after breakfast, the butterfly returned and landed on Scott’s cast, staying there for many minutes. I still had my camera to capture the return visit. That night, before going to sleep, we talked about the experience. I know how it was for me. It was a divine grace experience.

In Christianity, the butterfly resonates deeply with the concept of resurrection, the central tenet of our faith in God. The caterpillar’s deathlike entombment in the chrysalis mirrors Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and burial. The butterfly’s emergence from the chrysalis, a symbol of rebirth and new life, parallels Jesus’ resurrection. This connection reinforces the belief that just as Jesus conquered death and rose triumphantly, individuals can also experience spiritual transformation and eternal life through faith and divine grace.

Throughout my life and ministry, I’ve remembered many moments when God showed me grace when I needed it most. I have often wondered how the butterfly experience impacted Scott and the boys at church camp. The year 1985, almost forty years ago, was the beginning of my life in pastoral ministry. God was saying to me, “I am the God of grace — I will always be with you, encouraging you, loving you.” And Lord, you have.

The Rev. Dr. Gordon Schleicher lives at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI, where he helps lead Bible studies and serves as a part-time chaplain at the local hospital. The Chelsea Retirement Community has historic ties with The United Methodist Church.